The Billionaire's Secret Love Child(17)

''Because I'm a nice guy, and I want to give you a good start in life.''

''I don't believe you.'' Then she'd leaned to him and whispered in his ear. ''It's because you want to get into my panties, isn't it?''

''Er....'' It was the reason, but he had to deny it. ''No, of course not.'' He wasn't used to being refused. Why would someone refuse such a generous offer? He simply didn't understand.

''I still don't believe you,'' she said.



*****

'Ryan I'm moving out. I've got an apartment of my own,'' she said one morning.

''Never mind that now. Go home and pack some clothes. We're going on a trip.''

''Where to?''

''Paris.''

''France?'' He looked at her, and she knew she'd been dumb. ''What shall I pack?''

''Toothbrush.''

''Ryan. What are we going to do there? If I know, I will be able to pack accordingly.''

''We're going to do a deal on an apartment building. We'll be gone three nights, so take business clothes and clothes you can relax in. Oh, and take an evening dress.''

''But I haven't got one.''

''Jesus Alina. Do I have to mother you?''

''No, you don't.' She stormed out of the office. It was the first time he'd really snapped at her. Perhaps he was under pressure; maybe a deal was going wrong somewhere. Or maybe he was just tiring of her. Maybe she ought to accept his offer of an apartment.

Actually, she was driving Ryan nuts. She wouldn't accept his offers nor stay long at his parties, and he wanted her so badly. He'd given it a lot of thought. He'd even considered knocking on her bedroom door and helping himself, but she was very young, and he didn't want to overly upset her. He'd always gotten women by giving them things, expensive things that they had to feel guilty about taking. And the result had always been the same, until now. He'd decided to see if he could crack her resistance in Paris. After all, if she didn't feel a bit sexy in the French capital she must be frigid, he concluded.

''It's a BBJ,'' Ryan shouted as they walked from the Rolls Royce to his private jet.

''What's a BBJ?'' Alina shouted back.

''Boeing Business Jet.''

''Is it yours?''

''Of course, it is.''

Alina was apprehensive. She'd had so little time to find a nice dress she was sure she'd look like a sack of potatoes in Paris. She didn't like flying much, and the thought of flying so far made her very nervous.

Inside it wasn't at all like a commercial jet. It was like a small apartment. There was a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen and a wonderful sitting area with large leather seats.

''Who flies this thing,'' she asked when they were strapped into a seat.

''Father Christmas. Heavens Alina.''

''I'm just really nervous, that's all. Sorry.''

Ryan looked at her and took a more sympathetic approach. ''When we get up above the clouds, we'll have a glass of Champagne. That ought to settle your nerves.''

Alina didn't have time to answer. The plane sped down the runway thrusting her back into her seat. She closed her eyes and said goodbye to her parents and wished she'd stayed in New York.

''Here drink this,'' Ryan said shortly after the Captain had turned off the seat-belt signs.

Alina took the drink and gulped it down, then held out the glass for more. Ryan laughed and obliged. After two full glasses, she was much calmer, even enjoying the flight.

''You know you're a great PA,'' he said. ''Really good.''

''Thanks. You're a great boss.'' She smiled at him. He decided to take a chance. He leaned forward and tried to kiss her. She turned her head away. ''No Ryan. I like you, really like you, but I don't want to mix work and pleasure.''

Maybe she would change her mind after some more Champagne he thought. He offered her another glass, but she refused, aware of what he was doing. They spent the rest of the flight in silence. She fell into a deep sleep, and Ryan sat and looked at what he so badly wanted but was unable to have.



*****

The Four Seasons George V Hotel in Paris is so luxury-laden only the worlds richest people can afford to stay there. But that's where Alina found herself, courtesy of her job with Ryan. It was ridiculous, her bedroom had a chandelier. The bathroom was an echoing chamber of marble and gold, and she spent an age pampering herself there.

They'd arrived in the middle of the morning. In the luxury limousine which had picked them up from the airport, Alina saw very different architecture than she was used to. The center of Paris took her breath away. The hustle and bustle, Notre Dame and L'Arch de Triomphe and all the Baroque buildings. She instantly fell in love with the place.

Ryan and Alina had agreed to get some sleep and meet up for dinner at seven. The business part of the trip was to begin the following day. At six, Alina was already in her evening gown. She stood and looked at herself. She held her stomach in and let it out. She cursed when she saw, what she perceived to be a huge belly appear again.